A system for advising the operator of a transportation vehicle to impending travel conditions responsive to proximity to the area affected by the travel conditions. The system has location determination capability such as a GPS system and a source of travel condition advisory messages. When a travel condition advisory message is received and the vehicle is in the affected area, an audible signal is delivered within the transportation vehicle. Apparatus of the system may be self-contained and located aboard the transportation vehicle or alternatively may comprise message transmission apparatus located externally of the transportation vehicle.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method of alerting the operator of a transportation vehicle of a potentially significant travel condition, comprising the steps of: providing a travel condition monitoring system disposed to store and transmit advisory messages as advisory signals indicative of a travel condition which may affect transportation vehicles and which pertain to a predetermined geographic area; providing a location determining arrangement disposed to determine location of the transportation vehicle; providing aboard a transportation vehicle a travel condition annunciating system for receiving advisory signals corresponding to advisory messages which are transmitted by the travel condition monitoring system and a sound generator; and causing the sound generator to emit a sound within the transportation vehicle automatically and responsively to the travel condition monitoring system transmitting at least one advisory message indicative of a travel condition which actively affects vehicle operation when the location determining arrangement determines that the vehicle is within a predetermined proximity of the geographic area to which the advisory message pertains, wherein the travel condition monitoring system monitors establishment of lane restrictions which may restrict use of at least one lane by a particular transportation vehicle and generates advisory messages annunciating lane restrictions on the road being negotiated by the transportation vehicle.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the travel condition monitoring system monitors official speed limits and generates advisory messages annunciating changes of official speed limits on the road being negotiated by the transportation vehicle.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the travel condition monitoring system monitors roadways for transient slippery conditions which have been identified and signaled by governmental authorities responsible for the monitored roadways, and generates advisory messages annunciating transient slippery conditions which have been identified and signaled by the governmental authorities.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the travel condition monitoring system monitors progress of traffic on the monitored roadways, has means for determining expected progress of traffic on the monitored roadways, and generates advisory messages when monitored progress of traffic is less than expected progress of traffic.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the travel condition monitoring system monitors roadway warning signs which have been posted by governmental authorities responsible for the monitored roadways and generates advisory messages corresponding to the roadway warning signs.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the travel condition monitoring system monitors the roadway for proximity to recreational and cultural facilities, and historical and geographic attractions which may be accessed from the monitored roadway, and generates advisory messages corresponding to the recreational and cultural facilities and the historical and geographic attractions.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
July 15, 2009
June 26, 2012
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.